In your job, what is a typical day / week for you?
Every day is unique for me as I work alongside companies across a vast array of industries, providing bespoke banking services to meet their financing needs. I might be working with a small bakery one day and a multinational chemical manufacturer the next, so gaining knowledge of what influences each business and market is crucial. Building relationships with customers is vital for me to understand management strategy and how the business operates, so I need to communicate with customers on a daily basis. My role also entails carrying out detailed analysis of customers’ financials and business model before forecasting their ability to service their debt.
What skills and experience did you gain on your undergraduate course that has helped you in your current role?
In an academic sense, I learnt a lot from the modules I selected. The Financial Accounting modules have been extremely beneficial for me when analysing prospective customers’ accounts whilst taking ‘An Introduction to Financial Derivatives’ helped me quickly understand the complex foreign exchange products that Santander offer.
The course also helped me develop my transferable skills. Working on group projects helped me learn the importance of teamwork, communication and delegation which I have been able to apply when being tasked with managing projects in my role. During my three years on the course my report writing improved, becoming much more structured and concise which is now invaluable in my role when writing up deals to submit to our credit team for approval.
How do you think the university / Management School helped you in your career thus far?
Graduating from the University of Sheffield, a Russell Group university, gave me an excellent platform to build a successful career in banking. Added credibility comes from obtaining a degree from one of only 57 Triple Crown accredited management schools across the world.
Career events put on by both the Management School and The University of Sheffield were pivotal for me in obtaining the type of job I wanted. I attended networking events with professional service firms, CV building workshops and careers fairs which all provided me with help and guided of how to succeed through the tough application processes of multinational firms.
What advice would you give to prospective students studying your course who want to go into a similar area?
Really have a detailed look at the modules on offer. There is such a variety, so pick the ones that interest you (not just the highest pass rate!). Enjoying a module will mean you read around the subject and build a good foundation knowledge before going into your chosen role. Gaining a keen interest in a certain module may influence your decision of jobs to apply for.